@techreport{HoffmannWachtlerSanderetal., author = {Hoffmann, Stephanie and Wachtler, Benjamin and Sander, Lydia and Blume, Miriam and Hilger-Kolb, Jennifer and Herke, Max and Matos Fialho, Paula Mayara and Pischke, Claudia R. and Novelli, Anna and Lampert, Thomas and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Health inequalities among infants and pre-school children: Protocol for a scoping review examining the moderating and mediating role of contextual and compositional family characteristics}, publisher = {Open Science Framework}, doi = {10.17605/OSF.IO/3U4ST}, abstract = {Background: Although early childhood is a life period of overall good health, research shows that families' socioeconomic position (SEP) is affecting children's health from pregnancy on, ultimately leading to health inequalities. Little is currently known about the pathways by which family SEP is influencing child health and health-related behaviour, and which role family characteristics play. The scoping review therefore aims to screen the international literature on the mediating and moderating effects of contextual and compositional family characteristics on socioeconomic health risks of pre-school children in developed countries. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews, three online databases (Pubmed, PsycINFO, and Scopus) will be searched for literature in English or German published after year 2000. The two-step data screening approach and the subsequent data extraction will be conducted independently by two researchers in consideration of specific criteria and a previously tested standardized data extraction form. Due to the broad research question at hand, various study designs (e.g. cross-sectional, intervention, cohort studies, and qualitative studies), SEP measures (e.g. education, income) and compositional (e.g. family size, migration) or contextual (e.g. parenting, housing) family characteristics influencing children's health will be included. Since diverse definitions and reporting formats of subjective health, health behaviour, well-being, and diseases will be considered, a substantial heterogeneity in outcome measures focusing on the age group of 0-6 years is expected. Thus, a narrative synthesis of the findings will be performed according to the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination framework. Ethics and dissemination: Because no primary data will be collected, ethical clearance will not be required. Dissemination will include peer-reviewed publications and conferences.}, language = {en} } @misc{WachtlerHoffmannBlumeetal., author = {Wachtler, Benjamin and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Blume, Miriam and Rattay, Petra and Herr, Raphael and Deindl, Christian and Sundmacher, Leonie and Richter, Matthias and Spallek, Jacob and Lampert, Thomas}, title = {The impact of the family on health inequalities in children - A systematic scoping review}, series = {European Journal of Public Health}, volume = {30}, journal = {European Journal of Public Health}, number = {Supplement_5}, publisher = {Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1101-1262}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.898}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Background Health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents were repeatedly reported across Europe but less is known about the contextual and compositional factors of families that might influence and reproduce those health inequalities. In this systematic scoping review we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the available international literature on the mediating and moderating influence of the family on health inequalities in children and adolescents in Europe and North America. Methods This review follows the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews. After defining the research question a search strategy was developed in cooperation with a scientific librarian and the study protocol was registered. A search of three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, PsycINFO) was conducted to identify relevant literature in English or German published between the year 2000 and 2019. A qualitative data charting process was used to extract the relevant data. Results In total 11.838 records were identified through the multi database search (Pubmed n = 6370, PsycINFO n = 3505, Scopus n = 1963). After elimination of duplicates and records from excluded countries, 8862 abstracts were screened by two researchers independently. Different cluster of evidence of family influences on health inequalities were identified: Parental behaviors and children's obesity, parents' smoking and drinking habits and adolescents' risk behaviors, parenting style and children's common mental disorders, parental resources and children's quality of life. Conclusions There are different aspects of family's contextual and compositional characteristics on health inequalities identifiable in the international literature. These characteristics might be new targets for family-focused health promotion strategies. Key messages: -A systematic scoping review found different family aspects that influence health inequalities in children and adolescents. - The identified family traits are promising targets for family-focused health promotion strategies to reduce health inequalities.}, language = {en} } @misc{BlumeRattayHoffmannetal., author = {Blume, Miriam and Rattay, Petra and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Spallek, Jacob and Sander, Lydia and Herr, Raphael and Richter, Matthias and Moor, Irene and Dragano, Nico and Pischke, Claudia R. and Iashchenko, Iryna and H{\"o}vener, Claudia and Wachtler, Benjamin}, title = {Health Inequalities in Children and Adolescents: A Scoping Review of the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Family Characteristics}, series = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, volume = {18}, journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}, number = {15}, issn = {1660-4601}, doi = {10.3390/ijerph18157739}, pages = {33}, abstract = {This scoping review systematically mapped evidence of the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on health inequalities in school-aged children and adolescents (6-18 years) in countries with developed economies in Europe and North America. We conducted a systematic scoping review following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews recommendations. We searched the PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases. Two reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts and full texts. Evidence was synthesized narratively. Of the 12,403 records initially identified, 50 articles were included in the synthesis. The included studies were conducted in the United States (n = 27), Europe (n = 18), Canada (n = 3), or in multiple countries combined (n = 2). We found that mental health was the most frequently assessed health outcome. The included studies reported that different family characteristics mediated or moderated health inequalities. Parental mental health, parenting practices, and parent-child-relationships were most frequently examined, and were found to be important mediating or moderating factors. In addition, family conflict and distress were relevant family characteristics. Future research should integrate additional health outcomes besides mental health, and attempt to integrate the complexity of families. The family characteristics identified in this review represent potential starting points for reducing health inequalities in childhood and adolescence.}, language = {en} } @misc{HoffmannSanderBlumeetal., author = {Hoffmann, Stephanie and Sander, Lydia and Blume, Miriam and Schneider, Sven and Herke, Max and Matos Fialho, Paula Mayara and Pischke, Claudia R. and Sch{\"u}ttig, Wiebke and Lampert, Thomas and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Do families have moderating or mediating effects on early health inequalities? A scoping review}, series = {European Journal of Public Health}, volume = {31}, journal = {European Journal of Public Health}, number = {Supplement_3}, publisher = {Oxford University Press}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.506}, abstract = {Background During early childhood, families have a crucial impact on children's health behaviour, health, and development (bhd). However, a family's socioeconomic position (SEP) determines both the parental behaviour, living conditions, and child health. To understand how family characteristics may influence the development of health inequalities, this scoping review synthesised research on their mediating and moderating effects. Methods The review followed the guidelines of the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. The search included German and English peer-reviewed articles published between January 1st, 2000 and December 19th, 2019. The search in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus used both free text terms in the title/abstract and index terms within linked keyword blocks: (1) family characteristics, (2) inequalities, (3) income, education, occupation, (4) bhd, (5) newborn, infant, toddler, preschooler. Two researchers independently examined eligibility for inclusion in two rounds (title/abstract; full-text). Results Of 7,089 articles identified, ten sources were included that studied family characteristics and health inequalities among 0-6 years olds. Parental rules, stress, and screentime, and TV in bedroom showed mediating effects on inequalities in behaviour problems or children's screentime. Families' negativity, single parenthood, and the number of children in the household moderated differences in impairment, health, behaviour problems, development or breastfeeding initiation. Conclusions The effect of family characteristics on early health inequalities has been sparsely investigated. The evidence supported models of family stress and investment. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand this association. Key messages Family characteristics contribute to health inequalities. Taking families' stress and investment into account could improve targeted prevention efforts aimed at reducing health inequalities.}, language = {en} } @misc{HoffmannSanderWachtleretal., author = {Hoffmann, Stephanie and Sander, Lydia and Wachtler, Benjamin and Blume, Miriam and Schneider, Sven and Herke, Max and Pischke, Claudia R. and Matos Fialho, Paula Mayara and Schuettig, Wiebke and Tallarek, Marie and Lampert, Thomas and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Moderating or mediating effects of family characteristics on socioeconomic inequalities in child health in high‑income countries - a scoping review}, series = {BMC Public Health}, volume = {22}, journal = {BMC Public Health}, issn = {1471-2458}, doi = {10.1186/s12889-022-12603-4}, pages = {1 -- 14}, abstract = {Background: By explaining the development of health inequalities, eco-social theories highlight the importance of social environments that children are embedded in. The most important environment during early childhood is the family, as it profoundly influences children's health through various characteristics. These include family processes, family structure/size, and living conditions, and are closely linked to the socioeconomic position (SEP) of the family. Although it is known that the SEP contributes to health inequalities in early childhood, the effects of family characteristics on health inequalities remain unclear. The objective of this scoping review is to synthesise existing research on the mediating and moderating effects of family characteristics on socioeconomic health inequalities (HI) during early childhood in high-income countries. Methods: This review followed the methodology of "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews". To identify German and English scientific peer-reviewed literature published from January 1st, 2000, to December 19th, 2019, the following search term blocks were linked with the logical operator "AND": (1) family structure/size, processes, living conditions, (2) inequalities, disparities, diversities, (3) income, education, occupation, (4) health and (5) young children. The search covered the electronic databases PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Results: The search yielded 7,089 records. After title/abstract and full-text screening, only ten peer-reviewed articles were included in the synthesis, which analysed the effects of family characteristics on HI in early childhood. Family processes (i.e., rules /descriptive norms, stress, parental screen time, parent-child conflicts) are identified to have mediating or moderating effects. While families' living conditions (i.e., TVs in children's bedrooms) are suggested as mediating factors, family structure/size (i.e., single parenthood, number of children in the household) appear to moderate health inequalities. Conclusion: Family characteristics contribute to health inequalities in early childhood. The results provide overall support of models of family stress and family investment. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding the role of family health literacy, regarding a wide range of children's health outcomes (e.g., oral health, inflammation parameters, weight, and height), and the development of health inequalities over the life course starting at birth.}, language = {en} } @misc{RattayBlumeWachtleretal., author = {Rattay, Petra and Blume, Miriam and Wachtler, Benjamin and Wollgast, Lina and Spallek, Jacob and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Sander, Lydia and Herr, Raphael and Herke, Max and Reuter, Marvin and Novelli, Anna and H{\"o}vener, Claudia}, title = {Socioeconomic position and self-rated health among female and male adolescents: The role of familial determinants in explaining health inequalities. Results of the German KiGGS study}, series = {PloS one}, volume = {17}, journal = {PloS one}, number = {4}, issn = {1932-6203}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0266463}, abstract = {Objective Although health inequalities in adolescence are well documented, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Few studies have examined the role of the family in explaining the association between the family's socioeconomic position and adolescents' self-rated health. The current study aimed to explore whether the association between socioeconomic position and self-rated health was mediated by familial determinants. Methods Using data from wave 2 of the"German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents" (KiGGS) (1,838 female and 1,718 male 11- to 17-year-olds), linear regression analyses were conducted to decompose the total effects of income, education, occupational status, socioeconomic position index and adolescents' subjective social status on self-rated health into direct effects and indirect effects through familial determinants (family cohesion, parental well-being, parental stress, parenting styles, parental obesity, smoking and sporting activity). Results A significant total effect of all socioeconomic position indicators on self-rated health was found, except for income in male adolescents. In female adolescents, more than 70\% of the total effects of each socioeconomic position indicator were explained by familial mediators, whereas no significant direct effects remained. The most important mediator was parental well-being, followed by family cohesion, parental smoking and sporting activity. In male adolescents, the associations between income, parental education, the socioeconomic position index and subjective social status were also mediated by familial determinants (family cohesion, parental smoking, obesity and living in a single-mother family). However, a significant direct effect of subjective social status remained. Conclusion The analysis revealed how a family's position of socioeconomic disadvantage can lead to poorer health in adolescents through different family practices. The family appears to play an important role in explaining health inequalities, particularly in female adolescents. Reducing health inequalities in adolescence requires policy interventions (macro-level), community-based strategies (meso-level) and programs to improve parenting and family functioning (micro-level).}, language = {en} } @misc{HerrDeBockDiehletal., author = {Herr, Raphael and De Bock, Freia and Diehl, Katharina and Wiedemann, Eva and Sterdt, Elena and Blume, Miriam and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Herke, Max and Reuter, Marvin and Iashchenko, Iryna and Schneider, Sven}, title = {Associations of individual factors and early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres characteristics with preschoolers' BMI in Germany}, series = {BMC Public Health}, volume = {22}, journal = {BMC Public Health}, issn = {1471-2458}, doi = {10.1186/s12889-022-13814-5}, pages = {1 -- 13}, abstract = {Background The number of obese children is rising worldwide. Many studies have investigated single determinants of children's body mass index (BMI), yet studies measuring determinants at different potential levels of influence are sparse. The aim of this study is to investigate the independent role of parental socioeconomic position (SEP), additional family factors at the micro level, as well as early childhood education and care (ECEC) centre characteristics at the meso level regarding BMI. Methods Analyses used the baseline data of the PReschool INtervention Study (PRINS) including up to 1,151 children from 53 ECEC centres. Multi-level models first estimated the associations of parental SEP indicators (parental school education, vocational training, and household income) with the children's standard deviation scores for BMI (SDS BMI, standardised for age and gender). Second, structural (number of siblings), psychosocial (strained family relationships), and nutrition behavioural (soft-drink consumption, frequency of fast-food restaurant visits) family factors at the micro level were included. Third, characteristics of the ECEC centre at the meso level in terms of average group size, the ratio of overweight children in the group, ECEC centre type (all-day care), and the location of the ECEC centre (rural vs urban) were included. All analyses were stratified by gender and adjusted for age, migration background, and parental employment status. Results Estimates for boys and girls appeared to differ. In the full model, for boys the parental SEP indicators were not related to SDS BMI. Factors related to SDS BMI in boys were: two or more siblings; B = -.55; p = 0.045 [ref.: no sibling]), the characteristics of the ECEC centre in terms of average group size (20 - 25 children; B = -.54; p = 0.022 [ref.: < 20 children]), and the ratio of overweight children (more overweight children B = -1.39; p < 0.001 [ref.: few overweight children]). For girls the number of siblings (two and more siblings; B = .67; p = 0.027 [ref.: no sibling]) and average group size (> 25 children; B = -.52; p = 0.037 [ref.: < 20 children]) were related to SDS BMI. Conclusions The BMI of preschool children appears to be associated with determinants at the micro and meso level, however with some gender differences. The identified factors at the micro and meso level appear largely modifiable and can inform about possible interventions to reduce obesity in preschool children.}, language = {en} } @misc{RattayBlumeSpalleketal., author = {Rattay, Petra and Blume, Miriam and Spallek, Jacob and Hoffmann, Stephanie and Sander, Lydia and Herr, Raphael and Herke, Max and Reuter, Marvin and Novelli, Anna and H{\"o}vener, Claudia}, title = {Socioeconomic position and self-rated health among adolescents: the mediating role of the family}, series = {European Journal of Public Health}, volume = {32}, journal = {European Journal of Public Health}, number = {Supplement_3}, issn = {1101-1262}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.580}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Background Although health inequalities in adolescence are well documented, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Few studies have examined the role of the family in explaining adolescents' health inequalities. The study aimed to explore whether the association between socioeconomic position and self-rated health (SRH) was mediated by familial determinants. Methods Using data from wave 2 of the KiGGS study (1,838 female and 1,718 male 11- to 17-year-olds), linear regression analyses were conducted to decompose the total effects of parents' education, occupation, income, socioeconomic position index, and adolescents' subjective social status on SRH into direct effects and indirect effects through familial determinants (family cohesion, parenting styles, parental well-being, stress, obesity, smoking and sporting activity). Results A significant total effect of all socioeconomic position indicators on SRH was found, except for income in male adolescents. In female adolescents, more than 70\% of the total effects of each socioeconomic position indicator were explained by familial mediators, whereas no significant direct effects remained. The most important mediator was parental well-being, followed by family cohesion, parental smoking and sporting activity. In male adolescents, the associations of parental education, the socioeconomic position index and subjective social status with SRH were also mediated by familial determinants (family cohesion, parental smoking and obesity). However, a significant direct effect of subjective social status remained. Conclusions The family appears to play an important role in explaining health inequalities, particularly in female adolescents. Reducing health inequalities in adolescence requires policy interventions, community-based strategies, as well as programs to improve parenting and family functioning.}, language = {en} } @misc{HoffmannRattayBlumeetal., author = {Hoffmann, Stephanie and Rattay, Petra and Blume, Miriam and H{\"o}vener, Claudia and Schneider, Sven and Moor, Irene and Pischke, Claudia R. and Sch{\"u}ttig, Wiebke and De Bock, Freia and Spallek, Jacob}, title = {Do family characteristics explain a social gradient in overweight in early childhood?}, series = {European Journal of Public Health}, volume = {32}, journal = {European Journal of Public Health}, number = {Supplement_3}, issn = {1101-1262}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckac129.581}, pages = {1}, abstract = {Background Children's overweight is associated with many factors, including their living situation, in particular their family's socioeconomic position (SEP) and family characteristics. Research on the extent to which family characteristics account for a social gradient in overweight in early life is scarce. This study evaluated whether family characteristics explain SEP differences in the risk of overweight in early childhood. Methods The study used baseline data of 3-6 year-old children (n = 1,116) from the intervention 'Ene mene fit' conducted at kindergartens in Baden-W{\"u}rttemberg, Germany. Data included overweight (body mass index > 90 percentile) and parents' reports on their education and family characteristics associated with overweight (child consumes: sweets in front of TV, soft drinks; family joined time: outdoor, breakfast, sports; cooking; child sets table; role model). Model-based single mediation analyses decomposed the total effect of highest parental education on overweight into direct (unmediated) and indirect (mediated) effects (OR, 95\% CI). Results Girls and boys with low parental education had higher odds for overweight than children with high/medium education. Among boys, low education influenced the risk of overweight via indirect effects of i. 'sweets consumption in front of TV' (OR = 1.31, 1.05-1.59) and ii. 'no joined sports' (OR = 1.14, 1.00-1.44). The direct effect of low education only remained significant when 'no joined sports' was considered (OR = 2.19, 1.11-5.19). Among girls, family characteristics measured here did not explain SEP differences in overweight. Conclusions The family characteristics 'sweets consumption in front of TV' and 'no joined sports' contribute to inequalities in overweight among boys, but not among girls. Therefore, more gender-sensitive research is needed to identify family risk and protective characteristics that explain health inequalities among both boys and girls.}, language = {en} } @misc{BammertSchuettigNovellietal., author = {Bammert, Philip and Sch{\"u}ttig, Wiebke and Novelli, Anna and Iashchenko, Iryna and Spallek, Jacob and Blume, Miriam and Diehl, Katharina and Moor, Irene and Dragano, Nico and Sundmacher, Leonie}, title = {The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review}, series = {International Journal for Equity in Health}, volume = {23}, journal = {International Journal for Equity in Health}, number = {1}, issn = {1475-9276}, doi = {10.1186/s12939-024-02122-6}, abstract = {Background: Besides macrolevel characteristics of a health care system, mesolevel access characteristics can exert influence on socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. These reflect access to healthcare, which is shaped on a smaller scale than the national level, by the institutions and establishments of a health system that individuals interact with on a regular basis. This scoping review maps the existing evidence about the influence of mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic position on healthcare use. Furthermore, it summarizes the evidence on the interaction between mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. Methods: We used the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO and followed the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR)' recommendations. The included quantitative studies used a measure of socioeconomic position, a mesolevel access characteristic, and a measure of individual healthcare utilisation. Studies published between 2000 and 2020 in high income countries were considered. Results: Of the 9501 potentially eligible manuscripts, 158 studies were included after a two-stage screening process. The included studies contained a wide spectrum of outcomes and were thus summarised to the overarching categories: use of preventive services, use of curative services, and potentially avoidable service use. Exemplary outcomes were screening uptake, physician visits and avoidable hospitalisations. Access variables included healthcare system characteristics such as physician density or distance to physician. The effects of socioeconomic position on healthcare use as well as of mesolevel access characteristics were investigated by most studies. The results show that socioeconomic and access factors play a crucial role in healthcare use. However, the interaction between socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics is addressed in only few studies. Conclusions: Socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics are important when examining variation in healthcare use. Additionally, studies provide initial evidence that moderation effects exist between the two factors, although research on this topic is sparse. Further research is needed to investigate whether adapting access characteristics at the mesolevel can reduce socioeconomic inequity in health care use.}, language = {en} }